Resources

Protecting the economic interests of our resources community

In order to grow the economy in Eastern Washington, we must protect our natural resources. As a member of the Natural Resources committee, McMorris Rodgers understands that the economic stability of our region is dependent on the use of our natural resources and produce. From water and energy, to forests, resource issues are essential to Eastern Washington.

As the Ranking Member of the Water and Power Subcommittee, McMorris Rodgers is working to ensure balanced use of our Snake and Columbia River systems, safeguard our water rights, explore water storage options, seek options for the Odessa Aquifer, and maintain reliable and affordable transmission systems for our region.

In 2005, McMorris Rodgers was appointed by the former Chairman of the Resources Committee, Richard Pombo, to chair a Task Force on strengthening and improving The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA was hailed as visionary when it was signed into law in 1970, yet has since become a process that is too often used to delay, if not halt projects, and has produced unintended consequences. Through a series of hearings across the country she discovered that whether it is important transportation and public works projects, oil and gas development, healthy forests, mining, grazing or any other federal project, NEPA is involved. In Eastern Washington, NEPA has affected the economic value of salvage timber sales, dam relicensing and impacted local businesses.

Video

McMorris Rodgers raises awareness of the importance of Secure Rural Schools
(February 12, 2007)

Watch Video

Legislation Sponsored

109th Congress

H.R. 4857- ESA Compliance and Transparency Act of 2006
Requires endangered species recovery costs to be listed on electricity billing statements.
These customers have the right to know how much the costs associated with ESA compliance are passed on to them. Environmental experts state that last summer’s spill assisted between 25 to 300 adult salmon, meaning it cost rates payers between $250,000 to $3 million per fish. At a time of rising energy and electricity costs around the country, people deserve to know how much money is being spent on ESA compliance.

Legislation Co-sponsored

110th Congress

H.R.17 : To reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000
The bill reauthorizes cooperative partnerships between citizens in rural forest counties and federal land management agencies in order to simultaneously stimulate community development, provide stability and develop forest health improvement projects on public lands.

H.R. 450 - to designate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail
This legislation designates the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, a trail from Missoula, Montana to the Pacific Ocean, to provide for the public appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of the nationally significant natural and cultural features of the Ice Age Floods, and to promote efforts to interpret and educate along the pathways of the floods.

109th Congress

H.R. 4200 - Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act
This legislation addresses reforestation issues after a catastrophic event. It provides tools and authorities to federal land managers in Eastern Washington for the rapid assessment of damage in forestlands following catastrophic events. Land managers would then be able to engage in active management practices relating to the dead and dying timber left in forests, restoring landscapes, removing excess fuel loads, improving water quality, and preventing additional reforestation backlog.

H.R. 3135 - Private Property Protection Act
This legislation helps correct the decision made by the courts in the Kelo decision. Property rights are civil rights. There can be no individual freedom without the power of an individual to control their own autonomy through the free use of their own property.

H.R. 3883 - The Timber Tax Act of 2005
This legislation allows a deduction for qualified timber gains. It will improve competitiveness, help ensure the future availability of fiber, improve the environment, and yield a more abundant supply of the materials that build the American dream.

Press Releases

• Rural Western Lawmakers Ask 'Why Now'? (July 31, 2007)
• McMorris Rodgers Votes to Uphold Private Property Rights (July 31, 2007)
• McMorris Rodgers Appointed As Conferee for the Water Resources Development Act (July 25, 2007)
• Natural Resources Committee Passes Amendment Recognizing Hydropower as a Renewable Energy Resource (June 7, 2007)
• McMorris Rodgers Cosponsors Legislation to Prevent Sea Lions from Preying on Endangered Salmon (May 3, 2007)
• McMorris Rodgers Responds to 9th Circuit Appeals Court Ruling (April 10, 2007)
• Area Water Users Endorse McMorris Rodgers’ Homeland Security Legislation (March 28, 2007)
• Natural Resources Development Remains Vital to our Western Communities (February 28, 2007)
• McMorris Named Lead Republican on Water and Power Subcommittee (January 17, 2007)
• McMorris Retains Seats on all Three Committees (January 10, 2007)
• McMorris Supports Secure Rural Schools Legislation (January 9, 2007)
• McMorris: We Must Protect our Dams (November 15, 2006)
• McMorris Hosts Wildfire Hearing in Okanogan (September 25, 2006)
• McMorris Releases Final Report on NEPA (September 20, 2006)
• Resources Committee Passes McMorris’ Endangered Species Compliance and Transparency Act (July 19, 2006)
• McMorris Responds to EPA Agreement Regarding Lake Roosevelt (June 2, 2006)
• McMorris: Activist judge has no right controlling our rivers (May 23, 2006)
• McMorris Supports Forest Recovery Act to improve Restoration Efforts (May 17, 2006)
• McMorris Applauds Nomination of Kempthorne (March 17, 2006)
• McMorris Chairs Hearing on ESA Transparency Bill (March 16, 2006)
• McMorris Introduces Legislation to Require ESA Cost Transparency (March 2, 2006)
• A Comprehensive and Collaborative Strategy is Needed to Protect our Waterways (February 7, 2006)
• McMorris Named Vice-Chair of Water and Power Subcommittee (February 2, 2006)
• McMorris Supports the Administration’s Call for Harvest and Hatchery Reform (January 25, 2006)
• Task Force Concludes Hearings on NEPA Process (November 17, 2005)
• McMorris Applauds Passage of the Private Property Rights Protection Act (November 3, 2005)
• Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act Expedites Cleanup, Removal, Restoration (November 3, 2005)
• McMorris Extends NEPA Work (October 11, 2005)
• McMorris Votes to Update and Modernize the Endangered Species Act (September 29, 2005)
• Congressional Field Hearing on Wildfires, Forest Management (August 24, 2005)
• McMorris Reacts to the 9th Circuit Court's Decision Upholding Judge Redden's Ruling (July 27, 2005)
• McMorris Statement On Judge Redden’s Ruling (June 10, 2005)
• McMorris Statement on ESA Ruling (May 27, 2005)
• McMorris Testifies at House Resources Water and Power Subcommittee Hearing on the Impact of the Endangered Species Act (May 4, 2005)
• McMorris to Chair Taskforce on National Environmental Policy Act (April 6, 2005)